Chris Wagner Thesis Work: Public Transportation Pollution

From Sept. 9 to Dec. 21, 2016, natural basin, trapping pollu- to gain the ability to project I undertook an immersion trip tion from escaping the city. future emissions based on the to Cochabamba, Bolivia in The city acts as a central trans- mix of the public fleet. This will order to develop a research portation hub between the act as a tool for Energética to project with the local volun- other large cities: Santa Cruz, decide which proposed solu- teer organization Energética. El Alto, Oruro, and Sucre. tions will be most effective in Some of their work includes These two factors, in addition lowering transportation pollu- Cochabamba Micro- electrifying the rural regions of to the growing urban popula- tion. By documenting my bus: Common public Bolivia, preparing the city grid tion, makes transportation methodology, Energética will transit vehicle. for adding renewables to the pollution a big health concern be able to add robustness to electricity mix, and promoting for Cochabamba. My work was the model as new data be- solar powered vehicles as a to gather data on the public comes available each year. This solution to the growing vehicu- transportation fleet and the will be an indispensable tool lar pollution issues. The city of resulting emissions around the for Energética to propose Cochabamba is surrounded by city. Next, I created a model pollution reduction solutions mountain ranges that create a using neural networks in order to the local government. Sustainability Research Competitions “The challenge

was born to the SOLAR GRAND PRIX: I was the mechanical engineer- for the Energética: Clean Ener- Every year, Energética hosts an ing expert for this competition, gy For All Competition. This builders of international solar car compe- and my role was to ensure the competition is for Bolivian high tition, the Cochabamba Solar safety of each design before school students to present a tomorrow to show Grad Prix. It aims to advance and during race day. This also research topic surrounding research in sustainable urban included helping in the pits for sustainable energy solutions. what they are mobility and its competitors minor technical issues. The Some of the topics presented capable of today.” are Latin American university winner this year was the Cath- included solar panel manufac- students. The objective: create olic University of Bolivia “San turing using local materials, a -Secretary of the Cochabamba Solar a solar vehicle which is road- Pablo.” heat reclaim system for resi- ready and can run more laps dential hot water, and a highly Grand Prix 2016 CLEAN ENERGY FOR than all the other competitors. ALL: I also acted as a judge efficient biogas generator.

My host-dad, Lucho’s Birthday Celebration: Immersion Experience

This being my first internation- after a year of mourning a dad) parents. We opened the al experience, it couldn’t be all loved one’s passing, and the doors to anyone that was will- work! I stayed with a host preparation for Christmas. The ing to pray for them at the family during my time in Co- Day of the Dead and All Soul’s table and offered bread, wine, chabamba and it could not Day were the most unique, and treats for their prayers. have made me feel more wel- where I helped the family make Lucho, Marlena (host-mom), come. I was able to experience bread animals and set up the and Kenya (host-sister) will a few birthday celebrations, table for the most recently forever be an extension of my the Day of the Dead and All deceased loved ones. In this family and I hope to visit them Soul’s Day, the celebration case it was Lucho’s (my host- again!

HANLEY SUSTAINABILIT Y INSTITUTE